President Brigham Young was a visitor to the Muddy settlements in March
of 1870. Ammon M. Tenney states that the President was disappointed, for
he found conditions unfavorable for agriculture or commercial
development. The journey southward was by way of St. George, Utah, a
point frequently visited by the Presidency. The return journey was
northward, by the desert route. In the party were John Taylor, later
President of the Church, Erastus Snow, Geo. A. Smith, Brigham Young, Jr.,
Andrew S. Gibbons and other notables. In the fall (September 10), was
authorized the founding of Kanab. From St. George the President followed
the rough road through Arizona to the Paria, personally visiting and
selecting the site of Kanab. Very opportunely, from D.K. Udall, lately
was received a photograph of the Young party (herewith reproduced), taken
March 17 on a mesa overlooking the Colorado at the mouth of the Virgin.
Here may be noted that every president of the Mormon Church, with the
exception of Joseph Smith, the founder, and Lorenzo Snow has set foot on
Arizona soil.